Title: 

APD 040459

Significant Decision

Date: 

April 20, 2004

Issues: 

Compensability-Occupationl Inj, Date of Injury, Disabilty/Existence-Duration, Election of Remedies, Timely Reporting to Employer

Table of Contents

APD 040459

This appeal arises pursuant to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, TEX. LAB. CODE ANN. § 401.001 et seq. (1989 Act). A contested case hearing was held on January 26, 2004. The hearing officer resolved the disputed issues by determining that the appellant (claimant) did not sustain a compensable occupational disease injury; that the date of the claimed injury is ________________; that the claimant did not give timely notice of the injury to the employer and did not have good cause for her failure to do so; that the claimant is not barred from pursuing workers’ compensation benefits because of an election to receive benefits under a group health insurance policy; and that the claimant did not have disability. With the exception of the determination relating to election of remedies, the claimant appeals the hearing officer’s decision. The respondent (self-insured) urges affirmance of the hearing officer’s decision. The determination that the claimant is not barred from pursuing workers’ compensation benefits because of an election to receive benefits under a group health insurance policy has not been appealed and has become final pursuant to Section 410.169.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The appealed issues in this case involved factual questions for the hearing officer to resolve. The hearing officer is the sole judge of the weight and credibility of the evidence (Section 410.165(a)), resolves the conflicts and inconsistencies in the evidence (Garza v. Commercial Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey, 508 S.W.2d 701 (Tex. Civ. App.-Amarillo 1974, no writ)), and determines what facts have been established from the conflicting evidence. St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company v. Escalera, 385 S.W.2d 477 (Tex. Civ. App.-San Antonio 1964, writ ref’d n.r.e.)). Nothing in our review of the record indicates that the hearing officer’s decision is so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly wrong or manifestly unjust. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175 (Tex. 1986).

The decision and order of the hearing officer are affirmed.

The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is STATE OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT (a self-insured governmental entity) and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is:

For service in person the address is:

RON JOSSELET, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

STATE OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT

300 W. 15TH STREET

WILLIAM P. CLEMENTS, JR. STATE OFFICE BUILDING, 6TH FLOOR

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701.

For service by mail the address is:

RON JOSSELET, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

THE STATE OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT

P.O. BOX 13777

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711-3777.

Chris Cowan

CONCUR:

Judy L. S. Barnes – Appeals Judge

Veronica L. Ruberto – Appeals Judge